PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

Master in Biology 120 credits

Campus Tromsø

The programme description has been approved by the

Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics. Revised

in 2018.

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3

Study programme

name

Biology – master

Obtained degree

Master of Science in Biology

Target group The Master`s programme in biology is aimed at students holding a Bachelor`s

degree in biology or similar who are interested in pursuing a career in a wide range

of jobs, both public and private sectors; research, administration, consulting and

the teaching profession.

Admission

requirements,

required

prerequisite

knowledge,

recommended

prerequisite

knowledge

Admission to the Master`s programme in Biology requires a Bachelor`s degree (180

ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of minimum 80 ECTS. An

average grade of equivalent to C or better in the Norwegian grading system is

required.

Admission to a given master`s discipline may require some specified courses at

bachelor level. Please contact the student adviser for more information about this.

Academic content

and description of

the study

programme

Several master disciplines are offered which reflect the University of Tromsø´s

unique geographic location in the high north. They provide opportunities to explore

an array of fascinating questions within modern biology and emphasize some of the

society´s challenges, with regard to management of natural resources and

biodiversity.

Each discipline is connected to ongoing and relevant research in the different fields.

They will provide the relevant theoretical background, training in state of the art

laboratory and field methods as well as training of presentation and knowledge

transfer proficiency.

The Master`s programme in biology offers the following five disciplines:

- Arctic animal physiology

- Freshwater ecology

- Marine ecology and resource biology

- Molecular environmental biology

- Northern populations and ecosystems

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Table: programme

structure

Overall programme structure in table below.

There is one common compulsory course for all master`s students in biology, BIO-

3012 Study design and data analysis II. Safety training in the laboratory and on sea

and land expeditions is also compulsory (HMS-0500). Students only receive course

diploma for the course. The course BIO-3503/HEL-6320 is compulsory for students

who carry out experiments on living animals. Please note that there is an own

application deadline for HEL-6320.

Amount of compulsory and elective courses will vary depending on the Master's

Discipline. The course portfolio taken by individual students will be decided upon by

consultation with project supervisors. You may start on work for a 60 ECTS thesis in

the second or third term, depending on your own preferences and the character of

the project.

You find information about the different disciplines at the end of the document.

Semester 10 credits 10 credits 10 credits

Semester

1

Compulsory/elective

course for disciplines

Compulsory/elective

course for disciplines

Compulsory/elective

course for disciplines

Semester

2

BIO-3012

Studydesign and

dataanalysis in

biology II

BIO-3503 Aquatic

Animal Welfare HEL-6320 Animal

Experimentation for

Researchers

Compulsory/elective

course for disciplines

Semester

3

BIO-3950 Master`s Thesis in Biology

Semester

4

BIO-3950 Master`s Thesis in Biology

The study

programme’s

Learning Outcome

A Master's candidate is expected to have advanced and comprehensive knowledge

of biological methodology, theories, concepts and scientific approaches. The

candidates who complete the programme are expected to have achieved the

following learning outcomes, defined by general proficincy, knowledge and skills.

Knowledge

Students will have advanced knowledge in biology and in one of the following

disciplines offered:

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Arctic animal physiology

Freshwater ecology

Marine ecology and resource biology

Molecular environmental biology

Northern populations and ecosystems

Skills

Students will have the ability to:

Formulate relevant research questions in an independent manner, and apply theories, concepts and methods pursuant to the scientific and ethical standards in the field.

To search for and evaluate recent biological research in a critical manner, and to make assessments using scientific knowledge in the field.

To present biological knowledge and ideas in an instructive manner to researchers, policy makers and the general public.

General proficiency

Have acquired specialized expertise in one of the disciplines offered

Have the competence to analyze biological problems that require skills at a high level.

Apply their knowledge and skills in biological theory and methods in new areas relevant to society

Have sufficient competence to participate in and to evaluate research projects or to advance to doctoral studies

The study

programme’s

relevance

A Master`s of Science degree in Biology will prepare students for a wide range of

jobs, in both public and private sectors, including; research, administration,

consulting and the teaching profession.

Many Master`s students in Biology are connected to common projects involving

Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB) and other institutes in Tromsø that

carry out biological research and consultation work, e.g. Norwegian Polar Institute,

Institute of Marine Research, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA),

Bioforsk, Akvaplan-niva and Nofima.

Work scope and

learning activities

Several teaching methods are employed, including lectures, seminars, laboratory

work, computer lab and field courses. These will vary from course to course.

Supervision of the project work that leads to the writing of the Master thesis will be

given by faculty staff, sometimes in co-operation with an external supervisor.

Examination and

assessment

Several assessment methods are employed, including oral or written examinations, assessments of project work/ lab reports/field reports, often in combination.

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For master’s

theses/

independent work

in master’s degrees

The master thesis is an independent scientific work (60ECTS), under the guidance by one or several supervisors. The thesis is written within one of the following disciplines: •Arctic animal physiology •Freshwater ecology •Marine ecology and resource biology •Molecular environmental biology •Northern populations and ecosystems The number of pages required for a master`s thesis, may vary depending on type of project and has to be discussed with your supervisor. The general work effort in a master`s project is 1500-1800 hours (including field and lab work). Students who are admitted to the master's degree normally select a project during the first semester, and no later than one month before the end of the second semester. For students associated within a research project, the supervisor and the student must ensure that it is being written a supervisor contract. Dead line for handing in the contract is during the third semester for all students; • 1. September for students admitted in autumn. • 1. February for students admitted in spring. Deadline for submission of thesis is May 15th for students admitted in autumn, November 15th for students admitted in spring. After the master's thesis is submitted, there will be an oral master's examination. This examination consists of a public presentation at minimum 30 minutes where the student provides an overview of the project. Then follows an oral examination with the examination commission. The final oral exam is normally within 2-3 weeks after the submission, and not later than within six weeks.

Language of

instruction and

examination

Language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English.

Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in

English or a Scandinavian language.

The Master`s thesis must be written in English.

Internationalisation

and student

exchange

Students can apply for exchange studies or field work abroad according to the

available cooperation agreements within scholarship programmes such as Erasmus,

Nordplus, Barentsplus or North2North. Please consult the programme study adviser

for more information. Students can also undertake periods of studying at The

University Centre at Svalbard, UNIS

Administrative

responsibility and

academic

responsibility

Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and

Economics.

Programme Board.

Quality assurance The study programme is normally evaluated every year according to the university`s

quality assurance system. The courses in the study programme are evaluated every

third time they are given, as a minimum.

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Master's Disciplines

Arctic animal physiology

The master discipline in arctic animal physiology focuses on physiological adaptations to life at high latitudes

in fishes, birds and mammals. Particular emphasis is placed on how these animals cope with the climatic

variability, extreme light-dark cycles and large seasonal fluctuations in food availability that are all typical of

their environment. Physiological adaptations of diving birds and mammals, which are abundant at high-

latitudes, also represent an important topic.

Students will be introduced to and given the opportunity to specialize within many aspects of animal

physiology (e.g., chronobiology, endocrinology, reproductive physiology, thermoregulation,

nutrition/digestion, cardiovascular physiology), with approaches spanning from studies of molecular and

cellular/subcellular mechanisms, to integrative, whole-animal studies that may be conducted in the field or

as experimental studies in the laboratory (or as a combination of these). For this purpose, specialized

laboratories and approved research animal facilities, where several relevant species of fishes, birds and

mammals are maintained, are available.

Master projects will normally form a part of ongoing projects which encompass both curiosity-driven basic

research projects and projects important for production and management of natural resources in aquatic

and terrestrial environments. Students will be expected to participate actively in seminars that are given

within the research group, as well as at the institute.

Study plan/Programme structure

Term 10 ects 10 ects 10 ects

First

semester

(autumn)

BIO-3008 Animal Physiology* Elective course

Second

semester

(spring)

Elective course (10

ECTS)

BIO-2310 Arctic biology

(Compulsory for

students who have not

taken this course

during bachelor)*

BIO-3503 Aquatic Animal Welfare

(Compulsory for students with

Master`s topic on fish (5 ECTS))

HEL-6320 Animal

experimentation for researchers

(FELASA category C) (Compulsory

for students with Master`s topic

on birds/mammals (6 ECTS))*

Elective

course (5

ECTS)

BIO-3012 Study design

and data analysis in

biology II (Compulsory

for all Master`s students

in biology)*

Third

semester

(autumn)

BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology

Fourth

semester

(spring)

BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology

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Recommended elective courses for the master's discipline:

Autumn:

BIO-3014 Biological rhythms, 10 ECTS*

BIO-3009 Arctic Marine Pollution, 10 ECTS*

BIO-3506 Top predators (every second year), 10 ECTS

Bio-3018 Environmental Molecular Genetics (every second year), 20 ECTS*

BIO-3013 Northern food web ecology, 10 ECTS*

MBI-3006 Biotechnology, 10 ECTS

STA-3300 Applied Statistics 2, 10 ECTS

BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not scheduled)

Spring:

BIO-3504 Production and Growth in Polar Areas, 10 ECTS*

BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not

scheduled)

*schedule is coordinated (for the compulsory parts). For intensive courses and field courses there might be

overlap. Students have to prioritize compulsory parts, e.g. laboratory/field course.

In addition, some courses at bachelor level (e.g., the compulsory course BIO-2310 or other relevant courses)

may be included in the master's discipline, if such courses were not taken during the bachelor studies.

The students are encouraged to discuss with supervisors what would be the optimal set of courses.

Freshwater ecology

The master projects are usually related to topical activities within freshwater ecology, which include

research in lakes, rivers and coastal areas related to landlocked and anadromous populations of fish (in

particular salmonids) as well as invertebrates. Research activities comprise basic aspects of ecology and

more applied topics related to nature and resource management. Important keywords are population and

community ecology, predation, competition, parasitism, trophic ecology, ecological speciation, invasion

biology, anadromy, life history and migration.

The students will acquire broad skills in ecological and evolutionary theory, management-related knowledge

and key methodologies for research in freshwater and fish ecology. With a degree within this area the

students will be ready to take on jobs within nature management, higher education and consultancy, or

continue with research within freshwater ecology and related subjects.

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Study plan/Programme structure

Term 10 ects 10 ects 10 ects

First

semester

(autumn)

Elective course

(5 ECTS)

BIO-3521 Seminar in

Freshwater ecology (5

ECTS)*

BIO-3505 Ecological Interactions* Elective

course

Second

semester

(spring)

BIO-3518

Limnology (5

ECTS)*

BIO-3523 Master

excursion in aquatic

ecology (5 ECTS)

BIO-3012 Study design and data

analysis in biology II (Compulsory for all

Master`s students in biology)*

Elective

course

Third

semester

(autumn)

BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology

Fourth

semester

(spring)

BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology

Recommended elective courses for the master's discipline:

Autumn:

BIO-3003 Fish migration: Theory and technology (every second year), 5 ECTS

BIO-3519 Parasittologi og epidemiologi, 10 ECTS*

BIO-3111 GIS and remote sensing, 10ECTS (not arranged autumn 2018)

BIO-3013 Northern food web ecology, 10 ECTS*

BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not

scheduled)

Spring:

Bio-3525 Evolution and Ecologically driven speciation (every 2 year), 10 ECTS*

BIO-3004 Ecosystem management, 10 ECTS*

BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not

scheduled)

*schedule is coordinated (for the compulsory parts). For intensive courses and field courses there might be

overlap. Students have to prioritize compulsory parts, e.g. laboratory/field course.

The students are encouraged to discuss with supervisors what would be the optimal set of courses.

Please be aware that not all elective courses are timetable coordinated.

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Marine ecology and resource biology

Marine ecology and resource biology is a diverse field covering marine ecology, biodiversity, fisheries

ecology, fish biology and aquaculture. Master projects may be chosen within the following main areas of

research:

Marine Ecology and Biodiversity

Fisheries Ecology

Fish Biology and Aquaculture

Study plan/Programme structure

Term 10 ects 10 ects 10 ects

First

semester

(autumn)

Elective course

Elective course Elective

course

Second

semester

(spring)

BIO-3012 Study design and data analysis in

biology II (Compulsory for all Master`s

students in biology)*

BIO-3503 Aquatic

Animal Welfare*

Elective

course

Elective

course

Third

semester

(autumn)

BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology

Fourth

semester

(spring)

BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology

The course BIO-3503 is compulsory for students who carry out experiments on living animals.

Amount of compulsory and elective courses will vary depending on the master topic, and the

students are encouraged to discuss with supervisors what would be the optimal set of

courses. You may start on work for a 60 ECTS thesis in the second or third term, depending

on your own preferences and the character of the project.

Recommended elective courses for the Master's discipline, within the main topics include:

Marine ecology and biodiversity:

Autumn:

BIO-3015 Arctic Marine System Ecology, Productivity and Climate Change, 10 ECTS*

BIO-3003 Fish migration: Theory and technology (every second year), 5 ECTS

Bio-3009 Arctic Marine Pollution, 10 ECTS*

Bio-3524 Applied ecological statistics (autumn/spring), 10 ECTS

BIO-3516 The biological basis of fisheries science, 10 ECTS* BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not

scheduled)

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Spring:

Bio-3504 Production and Growth in Polar Areas, 10 ECTS*

Bio-3524 Applied ecological statistics (autumn/spring), 10 ECTS BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not

scheduled)

*schedule is coordinated (for the compulsory parts). For intensive courses and field courses there might be

overlap. Students have to prioritize compulsory parts, e.g. laboratory/field course.

Fisheries ecology:

Autumn:

BIO-3015 Arctic Marine System Ecology, Productivity and Climate Change,10 ECTS*

BIO-3003 Fish migration: Theory and technology (every second year), 5 ECTS

Bio-3009 Arctic Marine Pollution, 10 ECTS*

Bio-3506 Top predators (every second year), 10 ECTS

Bio-3516 The biological basis of fisheries science, 10 ECTS*

BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not scheduled)

Spring:

Bio-3512 Early life history of marine fishes, 10 ECTS*

Bio-3524 Applied ecological statistics (autum/spring), 10 ECTS

BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not scheduled)

*schedule is coordinated (for the compulsory parts). For intensive courses and field courses there might be

overlap. Students have to prioritize compulsory parts, e.g. laboratory/field course.

Fish biology and aquaculture:

Autumn:

Bio-2506 Introduction to Fish biology (autumn), 10 ECTS*

Bio-2508 Aquaculture (autumn), 10 ECTS*

Bio-3516 The biological basis of fisheries science (autumn), 10 ECTS*

BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not

scheduled)

Spring:

BIO-3011 Advances in Aquaculture (spring), 15 ECTS*

Bio-3512 Early life history of marine fish (spring), 10 ECTS*

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BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not

scheduled)

*schedule is coordinated (for the compulsory parts). For intensive courses and field courses there might be

overlap. Students have to prioritize compulsory parts, e.g. laboratory/field course.

Compulsory courses are dependent on the Master`s topic, and students are encouraged to discuss with

supervisors what would be their optimal set of courses.

Molecular Environmental Biology

The Master candidate will focus on molecular analysis of plants and microorganisms. Research areas cover a

broad range of modern research topics ranging from molecular communication within plant cells to

functional microbiology and plant/microbe interactions. Students may choose from a variety of different

courses applying modern methods of experimental molecular biology and bioinformatics for the study of

plant and microbe systems. All courses are designed specifically to prepare the candidates for their Master

thesis. Also, the active participation in common seminars and courses are expected as an important part of

scientific training.

The Master thesis offers an opportunity for a thorough study within one selected field of research and the

participation in an ongoing research project among the following:

Analysis of molecular signaling and transport processes within and between individual plant and

bacterial cells

Biochemistry and cell biology of parasitic plants and the interaction with their hosts

Communication and interaction of plants and microorganisms with each other and with the

environment.

Biodiversity, function and activity of microbial communities in environments such as Arctic soil and

the rumen of Arctic animals.

Study plan/Programme structure

Term 10 ects 10 ects 10 ects

First semester

(autumn)

Elective course

(5 ECTS)

BIO-3005 Seminar: Molecular Environmental

Biology in Microbes and Plants (5 ECTS)*

Elective

course

Elective

course

Second

semester

(spring)

BIO-3012 Study design and data analysis in biology II

(Compulsory for all Master`s students in biology)

Elective

course

Elective

course

Third semester

(autumn)

BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology

Fourth semester

(spring)

BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology

BIO-3005 Seminar: 30 hours; 1 hour weekly spread over 3

semesters

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Recommended elective courses for the master's discipline:

Autumn:

BIO-3018 Environmental Molecular Genetics, 20 ECTS*

BIO-3022 Biological membranes and their proteins (every 2. year), 5ECTS – not arranged autumn

2018

BIO-2106 Microscopical imaging Techniques/BIO-2008 Green Biotechnology and Bioenergy (every 2.

year), 10 ECTS - not arranged autumn 2018

MBI-3006 Biotechnology, 10 ECTS

KJE-3402 Protein Structure, 10 ECTS

BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not

scheduled)

Spring:

BIO-3010 Modelling in Systems Biology I -Metabolic pathway modelling, 5 ECTS

MBI-3007 Eukaryotic Genes and Genomics, 10 ECTS

BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring), 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not

scheduled)

Courses at The University Centre at Svalbard (UNIS):

• AB-327 Arctic Microbiology (summer), 10 ECTS

Own application deadline at UNIS, https://www.unis.no/studies/

The students are encouraged to discuss with supervisors what would be the optimal set of courses.

Northern populations and ecosystems

We offer master projects integrating field work, theory and statistics for students to achieve research

training as well as skills transferable to other disciplines such as nature management and education. We

offer projects that reflect current challenges and enhance our knowledge basis in basic ecology and

evolution, applied ecology and cross-disciplinary studies between ecology and social sciences. You can

choose a project involving topics such as ecological effects of climate change, ecological interactions,

ecological modelling, ecosystem monitoring, ecosystem-based management, socio-ecological systems,

behavioural ecology and biology didactics, primarily in terrestrial, northern ecosystems. Projects are often

conducted as part of larger research projects and in team work. We collaborate extensively with partners

within the Fram Centre (http://www.framsenteret.no) such as the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research

(NINA) and the Norwegian Polar Institute.

Students enrolled in the Master`s discipline Northern populations and ecosystems will acquire initial training

in basic and/or applied research that could be continued in PhD projects. Basic scholarly competence in the

MS project topic chosen will be acquired primarily through the courses provided by the group. However,

candidates are advised to take contact with the group in order to decide on their MS project topic on the

start of the Master programme as deviations from the recommended courses may be relevant for some of

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the topics. More specialized scholarly competence relevant to the specific Master project will be acquired

through the reading of scientific literature as advised by the supervisor(s).

Students in the Master`s discipline Northern populations and ecosystems will be trained in

Theoretical and conceptual frameworks relevant to their topic

Making study designs reflecting the hypotheses or questions of their research project

Up-to-date methods for acquiring and analyzing data

Writing a research paper

Holding a research project presentation

The first year students take courses relevant for their MSc projects, which are decided upon together with their main supervisor and, if not part of the course portfolio offered by our group, accepted by the study program board. Students could choose to take the more general courses as suggested in the study plan (below), or replace courses to acquire more in-depth knowledge in a specific subject area. The specialization also encourages international exchange with our partner universities. The Master`s Thesis is conducted the second year.

Study plan/Programme structure

Term 10 ects 10 ects 10 ects

First semester (autumn) *BIO-3013 Northern food

web ecology

*BIO-2006

Plants and

ecosystems

*BIO-3111 GIS and remote

sensing

Second semester (spring) BIO-3012 Study design and

data analysis in biology II

(Compulsory for all Master`s

students in biology)*

Elective

course

*BIO-3004 Ecosystem

management*

Third semester (autumn) BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology

Fourth semester (spring) BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology

*minimum 20 ECTS of the following courses are compulsory

Compulsory courses are depended on the Master`s topic, and the students are encouraged to discuss with

supervisors what would be the optimal set of courses (list below). Minimum 20 ECTS of the following

courses are compulsory:

BIO-3013 Northern food web ecology (autumn), 10 ECTS* BIO-3111 GIS (autumn), 10 ECTS (not arranged autumn 2018) BIO-2006 Plants and ecosystems (autumn), 10 ECTS* BIO-2103 "Evolusjon og adferd" is a potential elective course for students reading Norwegian – 10

ECTS BIO-3004 Ecosystem-based management (spring), 10 ECTS

Other elective courses for the master's discipline:

BIO-3016 Arctic-Alpine Terrestrial Plant Ecology (autumn)* (timescheduled with BIO-2006 and BIO-3013)

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BIO-3505 Ecological interaction (autumn), 10 ECTS*

BIO-3015 Arctic Marine System Ecology, Productivity and Climate Change (autumn),10 ECTS*

Bio-3009 Arctic Marine Pollution (autumn), 10 ECTS* BIO-3519 Parasittologi (autumn) Norwegian course, 10 ECTS BIO-3525 Evolution and Ecologically driven speciation (spring, every 2 year) - 10 ECTS BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring) - 5/10/15/20 ECTS (not

scheduled)

*schedule is coordinated (for the compulsory parts). For intensive courses and field courses there might be

overlap. Students have to prioritize compulsory parts, e.g. laboratory/field course.

Courses at The University Centre at Svalbard (UNIS): AB-326 Arctic Plant Ecology (summer/autumn) - 10 ECTS AB-327 Arctic Microbiology (summer) - 10 ECTS AB-329 Arctic Winter Ecology (spring) - 10 ECTS

Own application deadline at UNIS, https://www.unis.no/studies/